923 Appoint the Next Ruler
When Luna sat next to Elysia, the latter gave a head pat to the former.
“I, I’m an Empress. Kyuu~” Luna immediately melted and closed her eyes in comfort. She finally understood what Vanessa meant last night.
“Yes, but you are claimed to be my adopted mother. You are also my contracted fox, so let me spoil you for a moment. Do you like it?” Elysia rubbed the back of Luna’s fox ears gently.
“Ah, I lovea it. Uh, I mean, it’s great.” Luna slowly became limp, and without realizing it, she succumbed to Elysia’s divine touch and laid her head on Elysia’s lap.
After several of Elysia’s gentle whispers and encouragement, Luna finally told Elysia about her worries last night with embarrassment.
“Didn’t you misunderstand the partner and mate? Is this different from the contracted beasts on the Human Continent? They still have their own freedom despite having a human as their master.” Elysia felt somewhat confused and glanced at the nearby senior Goddesses for enlightenment.
“Ely, that’s different. Those beasts enter into contractual relations with humans simply because of mutual benefit. In your case, the members of your pantheon… They are willing to answer your summons and entrust their lives to you. You are not only their master, but also their owner.” Lifa clasped her hands together with a radiant smile. It was as if the divine light of enlightenment was shining from her.
“Mother, won’t we also be counted there?” Rhea twirled a lock of her hair.
“Fufu, it’s possible~” Lifa closed her eyes because she didn’t want to give her a clear answer.
“I see, though, you don’t need to worry, Luna. Let’s see what will happen in half a year. I can help you in that season.” Elysia imagined she could alleviate Luna’s impulse to push her down if such a situation occurred with soothing magic.
Unfortunately, Elysia’s answer was interpreted entirely differently in Luna’s mind. Luna thought that Elysia would do something to her, more than touch her. It was a bit wrong to know, but her inner self anticipated her ‘fluffy’ time with her three daughters.
“Alright, thank you. I feel relieved now. Hmm~” Luna purred softly when Elysia gave her some more head pats. Her fluffy tail swayed left and right excitedly, expressing her happy mood.
‘We haven’t named our pantheon yet, Ely. Head pats chruch might be suitable, hehe~ Anyway, we haven’t thought of a good surname yet, Ely. Rhea and Lifa volunteered to think of a good surname. They asked to join our surname.’ Elena informed Elysia about Lifa and Rhea’s wish.
‘Mm, let us use the same surname as you, Master Elysia. However, that is for our real name. Please keep it a secret from the others.’ Rhea submitted her proposal to Elysia because Elena had already given her consent.
‘Sure, I’d be delighted. However, my dear master… As good as headpats chruch might sounds, we shouldn’t use that name.’ Elysia couldn’t imagine them declaring such a playful-sounding name with a lofty, majestic depiction.
‘Heh, you’re right. I propose Elysium because it is compatible with our Elysian Realm. That can be interpreted as the state of ideal happiness. What do you think?’ Elena proposed a perfect name for Elysia’s pantheon.
‘It sounds beautiful, and it’s visceral.’ Rhea ultimately agreed with that name.
‘Mm, I couldn’t come up with a better name. Let’s use Elysium as our group name.’ Elysia also agreed with Elena’s proposal.
“Elysium, hmm-mm~” Lifa muttered softly with a hum.
‘Ely, you didn’t use Lifa’s original plan to turn Doll One into a die-hard combat unit? She is just an empty vessel that only accepts commands.’ Elena felt a bit worried.
‘While that’s true, we’re going to be testing out a bit on how far she can progress. Can the Ruvoid God take over her or not? Can she become human like Xentia or not? If she could develop her spirit, then that is when she deserves a name.’ Elysia has little plans for their Goddess-level doll.
‘I’m not against your experiment, Ely. But, please be careful because her body constitution is a modified manifestation of the Ruvoid God divinity. That’s completely fine when she is in the dormant state. However, when she is in an active state, she will absorb the magic of everything she touches. It still can’t be controlled since it’s her passive skill.’ Lifa gave a piece of good advice and emphasized the last two sentences.
‘I understand. Until then, Doll One would still be a divine-class war machine. A living artifact without conscience, just following her master’s command.’ Elysia nodded in understanding.
After that, Elysia invited everyone to move to the throne hall since the Dragon Clans had entered the city.
“Luna! What do you mean by that letter!?” A shoulder-length white-haired man opened the throne hall’s door with a bang. He scanned the entire hall with his bright blue eyes, then walked into the throne with heavy stomps with every step.
The seven dragon men followed closely behind, but they still looked calm.
“Welcome to Evroria Palace, esteemed leaders of the dragon clans. Please have your seats. Yusagi, please prepare some hot tea for our esteemed guests.” Luna pointed her palm to the eight throne-like chairs before her.
“…” Yusagi bowed slightly and hurried to carry out the Empress’ order.
What’s wrong with your palace? The roof is gone. Anyway, what do you intend to do by sending that formal notice? Are you really going to do that? What kind of scheme are you currently playing with. You wish to abandon your duty and dump everything on me? This is no joke, vixen.” Kazuma looked up for a moment, then went to sit down.
“Dear, don’t ask too many questions at once when the other person hasn’t spoken about it yet. Could you be a little quieter? This isn’t the usual you.” A mature yet graceful lady had just entered the throne hall, but she immediately advised her husband.
“Fufu, you must be overwhelmed, Lady Azumi. There are courtesy and procedures regarding official meetings, but it seems you are getting impatient. Well then, let me tell you.” Luna covered her mouth, but her friendly expression suddenly left her face. She spoke as a lofty Fox Empress. “There are no hidden schemes or plans. Everything is as written in my handwritten letter you received yesterday.”
“How could I blindly believe such a crazy thing after the hundreds of sneaky things you’ve done in the last few decades. Do you want to abandon your people and run away from your position as a ruler? Where is your sense of responsibility? There is no gain for me and the dragon clans to follow your will.” Kazuma slammed his fist against the chair’s handle, making it crack and break.
“I bear the responsibility as a ruler, and that’s why I have to step down from the throne. My daughter also can’t continue my position because our fate has already been decided. We will help the Goddesses to fight the Ruvoid Gods in outer space and save the world. Maybe we can’t come back alive. Therefore, I, Luna Evroria, the ruler of the Yhester Central Region, implore you, Kazuma Aozora, to protect my people as the new ruler.” Luna bowed slightly to plead.
“You want to be a hero with your daughter and written in history? What do you think you can do against the God of Calamity and Destruction? Our world has three Gods and about five Goddesses. They are more than enough to save the world. What are you hiding?” Kazuma felt complicated.
Apparently, this Fox Empress wasn’t messing around, and there wasn’t any scheme because it was the first time he had seen this cunning vixen bend down to beg.
*Clang* *Shatter*
The hot tea set that Yusagi brought fell to the floor. She widened her eyes in shock when she heard the real reason behind her Empress’ abdication. It was different from what her Empress had said last night!
“Her Highness Empress, you can’t!” Yusagi came closer and knelt down. She didn’t want to let her Empress go and die even as a hero who saved the world.
“That still isn’t enough. We might lose again to what caused the ancient era to vanish. A hundred thousand years ago, our world had thirty-three powerful divine beings. However, only six managed to survive.
Our world has suffered heavy defeats, bitter war losses, and deep wounds that time cannot heal. What happened when the era was changed was only the utter delay of the slaughter. If we lose our inevitable final battle, nothing will stop the Ruvoid Gods and the accursed creatures. No dragons, no beastkins… All will be their meal.
I may be a weak little girl before the divine, but my foresight ability can significantly help. We need three for extended deep insight, and I have decided.” Luna ignored Yusagi’s plea and explained directly to the leader of the dragon clans. She wanted him to take over her throne and protect her people.
“I hate it when you say things like I’ll just obey you, Luna. What will you do if I refuse? What will happen if you don’t have to help the divine? Also, who was the last person in the ‘three’ you talk about?” Kazuma frowned while glancing at the other clan leaders.
“The answer to your question is the throne seat will be vacant. Chaos will ensue due to power struggles and the people will suffer. It’s not that I need to help the divine, but I want and have to do it because of my duty as her servant. The mentioned three refers to me, my daughter, and the Goddess of Fate from another world. We did a far-sighted look into the future, and our battle ended in bitterness even though we had three Goddesses from another world helping us.” Luna got up from her throne and took something from her long sleeve.
She gave it directly to Kazuma’s hand. “This is my ruler seal. I will declare abdication and you will ascend the throne. Bring some of your dragon clans here. We will merge your mountains nation with this region for you.”
“Damn it, why are you doing all the things as you please, as if we are your subjects!?” Kazuma snapped despite fully understanding Luna’s position and situation. Yet, one thing he couldn’t accept was that Luna treated the dragon clans like her underlings!
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“We appoint you, the dragon clans, as the Yhester Region guardian. Kazuma Aozora, you will become the next Emperor, replacing Luna Evroria. The Dragon clans will directly participate in eliminating the remaining accursed creatures sealed in this world.
The relaxing and peaceful time is over. We have to do something and fight for our world to get it back. There will no longer be a separate dragon nation because the Dragonic Mountains will become one with the Yhester Region under your rule.” Lifa appointed the one Luna chose to fill the throne most effectively.